Have you ever wondered what group therapy is like? What comes to mind? You may be surprised to find out that it’s not like what you have seen in the movies. In fact, there are different types of groups you can explore, including topic-focused, skills-based, or gender-specific. If you are considering it, here are some factors to determine if group therapy is the right fit for you:
- Define and clarify your goals. This is the most important. What are you hoping to gain? What is motivating you to want to try it? What are your intentions? Is there something going on that is telling you group therapy could be helpful? Difficulty managing stress? Relationships? Longing for a sense of connection and community? It’s strongly recommended to discuss this in individual therapy. If you don’t have an individual therapist, discuss this with a mental health professional to assess if group therapy aligns with your specific goals and needs.
- If you want to learn how to better manage stress and emotions. Often, our struggles come from a lack of skills. This could mean you were never taught the skills you needed in the first place. Stress is an inevitable part of life, and we need to know how to navigate it. But how can you know what you don’t know? How can you practice something that was not taught or modeled to you? If you’re looking to learn new skills, such as emotion regulation or stress management, group therapy is a great place to start. In skills-based groups, you are typically assigned homework, which can help keep you accountable with implementing skills in your daily life.
- You want to increase self-awareness and understand your patterns in relationships. Group therapy gives you the opportunity to build self-awareness, both internally and externally. It can feel like a “mirror,” in which you are learning more about yourself based on interactions with others. This kind of learning often happens in processing groups. You can also practice interpersonal skills, such as assertiveness, in a space that is controlled, safe, and nonjudgmental. Group therapy can often be a corrective and healing experience, especially for those with relational trauma.
- You are comfortable sharing about your personal experiences in a group setting. Group therapy can feel scary and intimidating due to this factor. It’s important to make sure you are comfortable sharing openly about yourself. If you are not, that’s okay too. It’s still recommended to give it a try and consult with an individual therapist, as group therapy can help with building social skills.
- If you would benefit from community. The reason why group therapy is so effective comes from the concept of universality. This essentially means that there is power in shared experiences and realizing you’re not alone in your struggles. This helps us to feel validation of our experiences and less isolation, which in turn motivates us to support others. This increases a sense of connection, belonging, and hope. We are more similar than different!
Group therapy has many benefits AND is not for everyone. If you are unsure about your readiness, consult with your individual therapist or a mental health professional.
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